Massage device



Aug. 9, 1949. H. D. WHEELER l MASSAGE DEVICE 2 sheets-sheet 1 Filed sept. 14, 194e IN V EN TOR. HawZdf l?. V/wel' A TTORN/ 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I ATTORNEV EQ' 13 INVENTOR.

HaroZl/ WzeZe Aug. 9, 1949.

H. D. WHEELER MASSAGE DEVICE Filed Sept. 14, 1946 Patented ug. 9, 1949V vagile-tlgrd tofs'. D ffWlneeler,` n: w. vfwheeier.; been fl-mei e postear;

implication september. 14, 194s, seriamoiesmov Thefpresent nventionurelates generally to Inas- Y sage devices of the type uedltc apply pulsating miie lpresslliees. to YtiSeuearld Skin .areas .te Vlee massa'ged; and morev pewticui, arly` to applicator members for, such devices.

A typical Vmassage device of this lgeneral class is sl'iqwn in my previous Batent No. v22664931 issued DecemberYV 23,1941. YMy present invention may be used therewith, but is notsolirmited in its use, for my imprcvedapplicator member may be used with ,anyotheropparatus that provides a suitable source ofpulsating pressure.

Massage devices of rthis character are usedeto improve skin conditions and( appearane'by removing Wrinkles and blemishes, andjby iniproving the tone of .the underlying tissues.l The effectiveness Vof these devices depends to a large extent upon'the operation ofthe applicator inember since it is the .latter that actually .engagesA the skin. Y

Hence' itV is a Ygeneral obj ect `of* 'invention to provide an imprevecl applieeier that-heee better and more'eeftective massaging action on Vthe skin.

rIts is also an object of 'myinventonito p rvide an applicator in 'Whichthe `total area to"wl1ic`l`l1` pulsations are applied is divided into several smaller areas of approxirnatelyl equal'massagin'g action. A

Another object isgto'provide an applicator mem- Y' ber that vis soft and `flexible tolcnfoim'to `the shape `of theA surface lbeingv massagedibdt'at the -sameftime sufficiently stiff to properlyds tribute the pulsations Ito allthe-reiatively,smaller areas of massaging action.

@sans 01- meer),

lThe above objects landadi/antagesbf-myinf vention, as Well as others not specifically mentioned, are Aattainedinl amassage `rdevice"by-Info- Viding; a resilient applicator v'member Vformed with a'proiecting'rim portion and a- -recessediraninate central portion Vhaving Web elements varranged-in -a `grid defining a Aplurality of -pressie applying cups. "These cups-are Open at tneirfor Ward endto the "surface to be massaged', and areconnectedeto'a ,source-of pulsating fluid'ps-f sure by'means o f suitable uid supply passages.

`r-Bhe V`applicator is preferably relatively tn in walledand yielding in all, partszte permit exept conformation' .to thesurfaee being managed. and

is tnenimounted Qnarigd .supporting .member which supports the central foramlnatepg ion at itsrearwandface. Considerable variationfin the exact relation between the -app1cator-and .the rieidsupportispossible depending Jon thedegee andiquality of S @eport teau-ifea; andY elec depend# V55 112e: tages 011m! eeadilvsiifdeie'. description 4nd e reiieeieapiae vieweniise if? eifiew'ef tee-sepperriaemeleeer Fie; exis 'Yertieel meenemen-eenige' ef variational; form;

e 'Seriali View ...ef .fthegeeelieeier .steve e he :end www@ angels 3 a plurality of elements or Webs I8 which are arranged in a grid-like formation, shown in Fig. 2, to form a plurality of separate cups 20.

Although cups 20 are shown as usually being square, this shape is preferred only for the sake of simplicity. However, it is desired that all or at least most of the cups, be of substantially equal area attheir open forward or upper ends, as viewed in Fig. 2, which engage the surface to be massaged. It will be noticed in Figs. 2 and 6 that the open ends of cups 20 constitute the major portion of the area surrounded by rim I5; in other words, elements I8 are only a minor fraction of this area.

The lower end of the applicator, as Viewed in Fig. l, is referred to as the rear end; and reference herein to directions as forwardly or rearwardly will be understood to mean in the direction toward the upper or lower ends respectively of the applicator as viewed in Fig. 1.

Cups 2D are open also at their rear ends, where each cup connects to a fluid passage 2I that extends longitudinally through central portion I6 to the rearward face thereof. Each passage 2l connects at its rearward end with one or more recesses 22 formed in a grid-like pattern in the rearwardface of the applicator. (See Fig. 3.)

Support I2 is typically made of a thermoplastic material, and has a cylindrical body, threaded at its rear end for connection to stem I4, and rounded at its front end to conform to the rear face of central portion I6 of the applicator. The rear face of portion I6 and the forward face of support I2 being congruent, the two faces are in contact over the major portion of their area.

This engagement with member I2 supports the central portionof the applicator against excessive deformation during the massaging operation, but at the same time allows the use 0f a relatively soft, flexible material for the applicator that enables the latter to adapt itself easily and completely to the configuration of the surface being massaged.

Fluid passage 24 extends longitudinally of the support, and is flared at 25, at the front end of the support. The flare at 25 insures that fluid pressure pulsations travelling through passage 24 reach directly at least one, but preferably four, of passages 22 and are thereby distributed to all the passages 2li. Beyond the periphery of the flared end 25 of its central fluid passage, support I 2 closes the open side of recesses 22 in the appli- Y cator, and Vthese become supply passages. In this way, the applicator and its support cooperate to provide the massage device with iluid supply passages connecting each cup 2D with passage 24 and through it to the source of pulsating pressure.

Applicator I0 is preferably manufactured by a moulding process and made with side walls I1 in the initial position shown by the dot-dash lines in Fig. 1. When the applicator is mounted in the rigid support, the side walls are stretched outwardly, and because of the tension in the walls they firmly engage the sides of the support to form an air tight seal. This seal may be rendered more effective by gripping the ends of the side walls between opposing shoulders on stem I4 and support I2, as shown in Fig. 1.

When in use, the applicator rim first engages the surface to be massaged. Additional pressure upon the applicator causes the rim to deform, largely by spreading outwardly, and ribs I8 to move forward into engagement with the skin. The ribs then form a seal around each cup 2B, so

that each cup operates as a massaging unit all by itself. Each cup being connected to the source of pulsating pressure, conditions are the same in all cups and there is substantially no tendency for air to flow between cups. Consequently ribs i8 do not have to be heavy or rigid to resist such flow. It is obvious that some deformation of the applicator takes place in the massaging operation; but excessive deformation that would close passages 2l or 22, or destroy the effectiveness of the individual cups 20, is prevented by the support furnished by member I2.

Figs. 5 and 6 show a modified form of applicator 30 and supporting member 32. In this form, supporting member 32 is integral with stem I4a, and is provided at its base with groove 33 to receive locking flange 34 which is an integral portion of the applicator at the rearward end of sidewalls I1.

The forward end of the applicator is formed as previously described, except that it has live rows of cups 2B instead of six, as in Fig. 2. As a result, two passages 22 intersect at the axis of support 32. Since passage 24 terminates at this intersection, it is not flared outwardly at its forward end. For a given diameter of rim I5, the size and shape of cups 20 differs somewhat in Figs. 2 and 6, but such differences are within the scope of my invention.

Another modification of my invention is shown in Figs. '7 and 8 in which the applicator 4i? is generally similar to the one shown in Fig. 5, but two changes will be pointed out. Rim I5a is made wider and of greater external diameter, so that, in cross-section as in Fig. 7, a relatively thinner, more flexible lip is provided. This construction brings more of the surface of the applicator into contact with the surface to be massaged, and is advantageous under some Conditions.

Another change in this form is the omission of fluid passages 22 in the applicator. Instead, grooves or recesses 42 are formed in the forward end of rigid support 32 as shown in Fig. 8. Recesses 42 are closed on their open top side by the rearward face of applicator portion I6 to form the network of passages that distribute pulsations from central passage 24 to the several passages 2|. Again the applicator and its support cooperate to provide a part of the system of fluid passages supplying pulsations to the individual cups.

Fig. 9 illustrates another form of my invention characterized chiefly by making the rigid supporting member of metal and changing its shape. Support 45 has a central tubular portion 46 threadedat one end to screw into stem I 4b and hollow to provide a fluid passage 4l. The forward end of support 45 is spun into a flat disk 48 with a rearwardly turned peripheral flange 49. Corresponding changes have been made in the applicator, designated generally at 50. To be congruent with the forward face of the support, the rearward face of the central portion I6 is flat, and engages disk 48 to support the applicator. Recesses 52 are provided in the rearward face of the applicator to provide, in conjunction with disk 48, a part of the fluidr passage means supplying pulsations to cups 20 by connecting passages 2l to passage 41. Obviously, the face of disk 48 can be recessed and the engaging applicator face made smooth, as in the form of Fig. 7, to secure the same result.

In this form of applicator the long side wall I'I is replaced by a short wall 54 which is only long enough to be rmly gripped between flange 49 and the end of stem I4b to form an air tight seal.

rigs.. ro ana r1 mostrate-fa incantation-or tue invention fromftheshowingin- Fig.'\1"-,wi`th respectV tolthe fluid -passagemeansa 'The forward: rounded surfacey of support lf2' is smootmas Fig; 1;' but the rearwardsurfac'ecf rcentral"portion'` If6`= has been divided into twozones. Theouter zone' at I6a is annular in shape; smocthandirr-direct bearing engagement jwith theforward surface of support' t2'.` The `inner zone at IGb is' circular and located centrally; Its surface is `likewise smooth, except `for a plurality of smallprojectionsl '.iil on the" applicator surface that hold the surfaces' on support I2 and on portionf6 at IBb iny spaced rela'tion'. Projections 58" support apart of'central portion I6 upon the rigid member I2, and' are located to accomplish this; The space 59 between the two surfaces provides a iluid distributing pas'- sage connecting` centrall passage 24 'with all passages 2l, thus forming part of the' passage means supplying pulsating fluid pressure to each of cups The cylindrical portions or support I'2 and side" wallsv il engage, "as before, to seal off spac 59 around thev edge. Y

Another change consists 'in providing crosspassages` 2Ia in web I8 connecting each of the outermost cups 2li with a cup 20 nearer the center, place of a passageV 2I` to each of the outermost cups. All cups 20 are connected to a source of pulsating fluid pressure, but passages 2in1l become a part of the passage means connecting some of the cups. This connection is, of course, not fully elective until the open end of the inner cups are closed, as occurs when the .skin of Vthe person being massaged is engaged.

In some processes of making applicators, the portion of the mould that forms a passage 2Ia must be withdrawn through .the web. To permit this, that portion of the mould is supported by v,a thin metal sheet that divides -the web into two parts that normally contact each other along line 66. Normal pressure on the web .during massaging holds the parts. in engagement and. makes the web act in the same way as if it were continuous, as previously described.

Fig. 12 illustrates a modi'cation in which a piece of wire cloth screenGO, or like foraminous member, is substituted for projections 58. Screen 60 performs the dual function of supporting central portion I6 on the rigid member I2 by eno gagement with both, and of holding ln spaced relationship the central portion ofthe applicator and the forward. end oftheapplicator support, as in Fig. l0. Fluid will ilow freely through the foramina of the screen, so Athat'the space occupied by the screen is the fluid supply passage connecting central passage 24 with passages 2|.

Fig. 13 illustrates another modification of my invention in which the applicator, generally designated at 6I is generally similary to the form illustrated in Fig. 7, but diicrs therefrom primarily in the fact that central portion I6 of the applicator is of sufficient thickness, from front to rear, to prevent excessive deformation of the applicator when in use. It will be seen by comparison with the other forms, the thickness of material from the base of cups 20 to the rearward face of central portion I6 is considerably greater in the form illustrated in Fig. 13. The additional thickness of material enables iluid distributing space 62 to be maintained between the rearward face of central'portion I6 and the forward face of supporting member 64. These two faces are here shown as being flat and parallel to each other; but it is not necessary that they 6. airways bear'this relationshipic eachother', since` one orboth. faces maybevcurvedf if desired.

Rigid' supporting.. .member 6L is. integral with stem Ma, inthe. manner previously described. A-t. the .base'foi mem-ber 64k, there is/provided a groove 33 to'v receive fla-nge 31:.at. the.y rearward. end of the applicator. This construction vi-s1ssirn` ilar lto'- that.; previously described. Anadditional. feature. not previously shown, isf the. provision ofrasmall flange atzor near the top of supporting member EIL.; and a. corresponding groove or re'cesssi-n. the:v inner face of the sidewall of the applicator.. Flange E5.v transmits directlyto sup port 64 a large portion'` of the load. applied to the.

applicator member .during the massage opera- Y tion', fthe' remainder ofthe load being .transmitted to' :the .supporta through the applicator side wall` andiiange 34'. Thus-.it will be.v seen that ange 65 aiiordssupport tothe applicator 'as far` for-- ward as possible. Italso has vthe secondary func'- tionof improving thev air tight sealing necessary around the 'edges of distribution passage 62.

Having .described a preferred improvement of my invention and variational forms thereof, it will'v be. apparenti that changes inthe details of my Yinmention may be. made'by persons skilled in the art without departing .from the spirit and scope of my invention; and it is therefore to be understood that the above description is rto-be construed as illustrative of, rather than limited upon, the appended claims. Y'

"I claim:

l. A'massage device for appl'ica'tlonfoi` pulsating iiuid pressures, which comprises: a iiexible resilient applicator.: member adapted to engage the surface to be m'assa'ged and provided with'a projecting' rim portion, and a recessed foraminate central portion Vhaving a plurality oi elements dening a plurality of separate pressureA applying cups open at their forward ends, said etements being disposed rearwardly of said rim portion; and a rigid supporting member upon which the applicator member is mounted; said device -being'provided with fluid supply passage means for connecting all ofy said cups toa source of pulsating fluid pressure. v

.2; A. massage devicefor application of pulsating rfluid pressures, which comprises: a ilexible resilient applicator member radapted to engage the surface to be massaged and provided with a projecting annular rim portion, anda generally concave -foraminate central portion having a plurality of elements defining a 'plurality of separate pressure applying cups of substantially equalarea open at their forwardV and rearward ends, said elements being disposed rearwardly of said rim portion; and a supporting member upon which the applicator member is mounted; said device being provided with fluid supply passage means for connecting each of said cups at its rearward end to a source of pulsating fluid pressure.

3. A massage device for application of pulsating fluid pressures, which comprises: a exible resilient applicator member adapted to engage the Vsurface to be massaged and provided with a projecting rim portion, and a recessed foraminate central portion having a plurality of elements dening a plurality of separate pressure applying cups open at their forward ends, and having a plurality of fluid passages of relatively smaller cross-sectional area than said cups eX- tending from the cups to the rearward face of the central portion, said elements being disposed rearwardly of said rim portion; and a rigid supporting' member provided with a fluid passage adapted to connection with a source of pulsating fluid pressure; the applicator and supporting members cooperating to provide fluid passage means connecting the first-mentioned fluid passages with the fluid passage in the supporting member.

4. A massage device for application of pulsating uid pressures, which comprises: a flexible resilient applicator member adapted to engage the surface to be massaged and provided with a projecting rim portion, and a recessed foraminate central portion having a plurality ofelements defining a plurality of separate pressure applying cups open at their forward ends and having a plurality of fluid pas-sages extending from the cups to the rearward face of the central portion, said elements being disposed rearwardly of said rim portion; and a, rigid supporting mem- Iber provided with a uid passage adapted to connection with a source of pulsating fluid pressure; and a foraminous member interposed between and engaging both the applicator member and the supporting member to support the central portion of the applicator member and to provide fluid passage means connecting the first mentioned fluid passages with the fluid passage in the supporting member.

5. A massage device for application of pulsating fluid pressures, which comprises: a flexible resilient applicator member adapted to engage the surface to be massaged and provided with a projecting rim portion, and a recessed foraminate central portion having a plurality of elements defining a plurality of separate pressure applying cups open at their forward ends and having a plurality of fluid passages extending from the cups to the rearward face of the central portion, said elements being disposed rearwardly of said rim portion; and a rigid supporting member provided with a fluid passage adapted to connection with a source of pulsating fluid pressure; the central portion of the applicator member being of sufficient thickness from front to rear to Prevent excessive deformation when in use and to maintain a fluid distributing space between the applicator member and the supporting member adapted to transmit fluid pressures to the first mentioned fluid passages from the fluid passage in the supporting member.

6. A fiexible, resilient applicator member for. use in a message device which applies pulsating uid pressures to a surface to be massaged, comprising: a projecting annular rim portion; and a generally concave foraminate central portion surrounded by' said portion and having a plurality of elements dening a plurality of separate pressure applying cups of substantially equal area open at their forward ends; all said elements being adapted to engage the surface to be massaged after the rim portion has been deformed by engagement with the surface.

.7. A exible, resilient applicator member for use in a massage device which applies pulsating fluid pressures to a surface to be massaged, comprising: a projecting annular rim portion; and a generally concaveV foraminate central portion surrounded by said rim portion and having a plurality of` elements defining a plurality of separate pressure applying cups of substantially equal area open at their forward and rearward ends; said elements being adapted to engage the surface to be massaged after the rim portion has been deformed by engagement with the surface; and the central portion of the applicator member being provided with fluid passage means adapted to connect each of the .cups with a source of pulsating fluid pressure, said passage means comprising a plurality of passages each extending from one of the cups to the rearward face of said central portion Yand a plurality of recesses in said rearward face connecting together all of said last mentioned passages.

8. A flexible, resilient applicator member for use in a massage device which applies pulsating fluid pressures to a surface to be massaged, comprising: a projecting annular rim portion; and a recessed .foraminate central portion surrounded by said rim portion and having a plurality of elements arranged in a rectangular grid formation dening a plurality of separate pressure applying cups open at their forward and rearward ends, the aggregate area of the cups at their forward ends comprising the major portion of the area within the projecting rim; said elements being disposed rearwardly of said rim portion and having their forward faces lying in a smoothly curved surface which when extended includes the face of the projecting rim portion whereby the elements progressively engage the surface to be massaged after engagement thereof by the rim portion.

HAROLD D. WHEELER.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS v Name Date Johnson Nov. 13, 1934 Number 

